California Change Therapy Ban on Hold for Now

A California law banning change therapy for minor patients seeking relief from same-sex attraction is on hold, for now.

The law was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, but the Liberty Counsel filed an appeal.

Even though the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, Liberty asked for an injunction based on strong dissents from three judges, and now it's petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

Liberty Counsel has filed two similar cases on change therapy in New Jersey, and it currently represents parents, their children, and two counseling associations dealing with same-sex attraction therapy.

Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said the minors they represent "do not want to act on same-sex attractions nor do they want to engage in such behavior."

"They are greatly benefiting from this counseling," he continued. "Their grades have gone up, their self-esteem has improved, and their relationships at home are much improved."